Last Updated on 59 minutes ago by Charbel Coorey
Jake Weatherald does not believe it’s the end of his Test career after he was dropped from Australia’s team following the loss to Bangladesh in Darwin.
Speaking to CODE Sports, Weatherald says the setback is an opportunity to go back to First Class cricket and knock the door down. He is back at South Australia, where he will play plenty of cricket at the typically batting-friendly Adelaide Oval.
“I don’t see it as the end of anything. I just see it as an opportunity to go away and get better and come back a better player if I ever get the opportunity again,” Weatherald said.
“I have no doubt that I’ll be able to do that, put pressure on whoever to pick me again.
“That was the message that I got from the coaching staff. They were just saying that we believe you’ve got the game, hence why we’ve contracted you. So just go back and be ready to come back.”
RELATED: Matt Renshaw called in to Australia’s squad for second Test at Jake Weatherald’s expense
Jake Weatherald on being dropped: When you lose to Bangladesh, heads must roll
Weatherald admitted that the second innings was detrimental to his chances of retaining his spot. On a good batting surface, he was out third ball for a duck, chopping a Hasan Mahmud delivery back onto his stumps.
“I was one of the people that didn’t perform against a team that I should have in conditions where they were pretty good for batting, especially in the second innings,” Weatherald said.
“So I had an opportunity to make runs, and when you lose heads will roll. If you win you’re probably not changing too much. Unfortunately we lost, it’s just part of it.”
Weatherald admitted he was surprised, especially given he was offered a central contract earlier this year. But, defeat at home to Bangladesh leaves players at risk of losing their spot.
“There was an element of surprise, definitely. But I guess that’s professional sport,” he said.
“You’ve got very high standards of batting in our country, and I guess when you lose to Bangladesh in Australia, things are going to roll. So from my point of view I can understand it. I didn’t bat well enough.”
Weatherald’s technical changes don’t reap immediate rewards
The left-hander had a shaky Ashes series, where his technique was exposed by the extra pace. He was out falling over on a few occasions, as well as getting into awkward positions on the pull shot.
He made changes to his setup in the offseason, notably his head being over middle and offstump rather than outside offstump. Also, he is more upright in his stance. However, the small trigger towards legstump makes him susceptible outside offstump, which was where he was dismissed twice in Darwin.
“I felt as though I was doing really well the week before [during Australia’s preparation]. I’ve done it really well against some really good bowlers, obviously,” he said.
“The conditions themselves were a bit different to what I prepared for. That’s not an excuse. It’s just the way it was, and I probably didn’t adapt quick enough to the conditions and the bowlers I was facing out the middle.”
Now, Weatherald is focused on the cricket ahead. In addition to the Sheffield Shield and all the Test cricket coming up, Australia A will tour India next month. The opener hopes to be there.
“I feel as though when I’m at my best I’m the best option. So I just need to go away and do that in first-class cricket, hopefully get on that A series and prove that I can play in India and do well there,” he said.
